Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
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Minister Hon. Victor Dominello speaking at the function
United Indian Associations Inc Celebrated Indian Republic Day and Australia Day at Bowman Hall Blacktown Sydney
United Indian Associations
Inc.celebrated Indian Republic Day and Australia Day with full house at Bowman
Hall, Blacktown on 18th Jan Friday. The event made the best memories for 33 of
the 2012 HSC students and prominent Australians working in India.
The celebrations started off with national anthems of India and Australia
followed by the warm welcome speech by the president of UIA Mr Amarinder Bajwa.
In his address he stressed upon the growth of the bilateral relationship
building as well as trade and investment. He welcomed the travel concessions to
the international students by the state government. Mr Amarinder Bajwa also
stressed about the similar concessions for the seniors on bridging visas. He
also welcomed the changes to long term visa provisions for the parents of the
Australian and focus of the governments for the engagement of India and the
Asian Century white paper.
President Amarinder Bajwa reiterated “UIA is constantly building and bridging
relationships, we want everyone to come together and work together for the
social and economic development in Australia as well as India. UIA has been and
always will stick to its principles of social cohesion and social development.”
The event was well attended by the MP’s of both state and federal governments.
High Commissioner of India Mr Biren Nanda attended the event. In his address he
congratulated the awardees and highlighted the growing cooperation between the
two countries.
The Hon Craig Emerson Minister for Trade and Competitiveness representing the PM
of Australia congratulated UIA for their social development and increased focus
of the government for engagement of India as trade and investment partner.
The Hon Craig Kelly MP representing federal Leader of Opposition Tony Abbott
impressed upon the gathering with the focus of the opposition on India and its
potential of being the global partner for many years to come.
The Hon Victor Dominello MP, Minister for Citizenship and Communities applauded
the efforts of UIA and its team under the presidency of Mr Amarinder Bajwa and
for its socio political development of the local Indian diaspora. He stressed
upon the commitment of the state government to engage India on every front and
focus on the development and growth of the state and Indian partners.
The Hon Linda Burney representing the Leader of Opposition Hon John Robertson
congratulated the students on their high achievement and while addressing the
students in the gathering said ‘You can loose anything in your life but the
education that you have earned – you can’t loose to anyone. Its what you have
earned with your hard work and will always stay with you.’ She applauded the
efforts of UIA.
The Hon Chris Bowen Minister for Immigration while presenting the awards to the
students congratulated them for their high achievement and said he is always
glad to attend UIA events as they reflect the growth and harmony of the Indian
diaspora in Australia.
Other ministers that attended and presented the awards to the students are The
Hon Michelle Rowland, Member for Greenway, Barbara Perry MP, Guy Janghari MP,
Kevin Connolly MP and Chair of CRC Stepan Kerkasharian.
UIA presented Life Time Achievement Award to Dr Jay Chandra and Ophthalmologist
for his exceptional contribution to the community of India and Fiji. He created
Rishikesh Eye Project in India in the year 2002 and started Fiji Eye Project in
2006 where they have operated over 3000 cataract operations in past couple of
years. Dr Jay Chandra has accomplished career in vitreo-retina and is working in
Sydney.
UIA this year presented ‘Friends of India’ award to Sim Aid an organisation
working in India to help and save the girls from the prostitution and sexual
discrimination under their project “Operation RedLight-GreenLight/ Girls Off The
Street, New Delhi”. SIMAid was represented by Angie Shum, Donor Manager.
Paul MCGurk was honoured with “Friends of India” for his personal aid and
support to the Indian families in India, where he has been providing medicines,
education and financial support to Tibetiaan families. Paul spends 2 to 3 weeks
of time and donating lot of money every year doing this great work in India. He
does a lot more like sending medicines, books, computers etc to these poor
families.
Mr Clary Castrission of 40K Foundation was the awardee of “Friends of India” on
the dedicated education programs in India for the poor kids. The 40K educational
pods have been a great success providing opportunity for the kids in the
villages around Bangalore.
Jennifer Star was awarded “Friends of India” for her Tara.ED - a program that is
built around the “Teacher Tour” – in which teacher education students from
Australian universities do a teaching internship in one of the Tara.Ed partner
schools in rural Maharashtra. The Tara.Ed model revolutionises the concept of
charity as it allows the benefit to flow both ways. Both the Indian and
Australian education systems and communities are provided with the tools and
opportunities to develop the competencies required for success in the Asian
century.
UIA also conferred “Community Service Award” to Omkara Swamy Gopenalli and
Ramyavaran Ramaswamy for their relentless and selfless work for the community
for past many years.
“Young Achievers” Awards went to Mohit Tolani for his community work, Soumil
Chibber for his achievement in Cricket and Uday Barooah for his achievement in
Karate.
UIA also presented Certificate of Appreciation to the appreciate the support to
the community and the organisation to Kiran Desai, Maxine Salma, Varun Tiwary
and Rajesh Kumar for attaining world record in 1010 portraits in 8 hours at
India Australia Friendship Fair 2012.
UIA team included Sue Advani as an event coordinator, Ms Shalini Chandrala as
the MC while Ms Shobha Ingleshwar sang the national anthems of both the
countries in her voice. Cultural program was presented by Maxine Salma and her
group Road2Bollywood.
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